20.02.18 JPSC (Jharkhand) Current Affairs

Endeavouring hard to bring Jharkhand on global map through its scintillating beauty adorned with abundance forest wraps, heritage attractions and religious sites, Jharkhand Tourism is all set to organise the first ever ‘Jharkhand Travel Mart 2018’ at Mega Sports Complex, Khelgaon.

The first of its kind, three-day event will kick off from March 23 with a few big names from tourism sectors expected to be the part of this Jharkhand Travel and Tourism Exchange programme. The proposed event enfolding a range of promotional activities for its clients as well as commoners for branding and marketing of ‘Land of Forest’ is said to be the eastern India’s biggest B2B (business to business) travel event.

Highlighting the key features of the show, the organizers stated that over 500 travel agents are expected to visit the mega event. Around 75 exhibitors from Jharkhand and other parts of the country from 10 different tourism segments will be the part of this tourism show. To tap the potentials of the tribal heartland, as many as 10,000 holidaymakers will be visiting the capital city.

Jharkhand which is the emerging tourist destinations with its wide arena of attractions and opportunities to explore will conduct B2B Road-shows and interactive session in key markets from where the tourists’ inflow is relatively high. B2B Road-shows will be held in seven cities i.e..Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Durgapur, Asansol, Patna and Gaya to promote the State while describing the details of the first ‘Jharkhand Travel Mart’ show.

The ‘Water Quality Research’ programme has eight projects and ‘Energy Demand Reduction in Built Environment’ programme has four projects, with a total joint investment of up to £15 million.

These projects aim to deliver mutual benefits and research solutions not only to the UK and India but also to address shared global sustainable development goals – clean water and clean energy.

India to host World Environment Day

New Delhi: Under Secretary General of United Nations and Executive Director of UN Environment, Erik Solheim and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary, C.K. Mishra sign a Letter of Intent on hosting of World Environment Day 2018, in the presence of the Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan and Union MoS Culture and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mahesh Sharma in New Delhi on Feb 19, 2018. (Photo: IANS/PIB)

India will host the World Environment Day 2018, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan and United Nations Environment Program chief Erik Solheim said.

The theme for the World Environment Day-2018, held every year on June 5, is “Beat Plastic Pollution”.

Canada hosted the event in 2017.

Meanwhile, Harsh Vardhan also launched the first electric charging facility at the Lodhi Road UN office — the first ever in a UN office in India.

Amazon Becomes World’s Third Most Valuable Company

Amazon’s market value surpassed Microsoft’s for the first time, making Amazon the world’s third most valuable company.

Apple and Alphabet stand ahead of Amazon as the most valuable companies in the world.

Microsoft, now ranked fourth, follows, ahead of Tencent and Facebook.

· Amazon Launches Its 1st Food Retail Service In India

Amazon becomes the first foreign e-commerce firm to start its own food retail venture in India called Amazon Retail, piloting its services in Pune.

It will reportedly be available on Amazon India platform and sell locally made and packaged food to the consumers directly. Amazon also has Amazon Now app, which connects retailers with customers for sale of groceries.

· BAFTA Awards 2018: Complete List Of Winners

drama Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri won maximum prizes at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards 2018, which took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK.

In a major policy initiative to protect the savings of the investors, the Union Cabinet has given its approval to introduce the following bills in the Parliament:-

Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2018 in parliament &

2. Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

1. The Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2018

The bill is aimed at tackling the menace of illicit deposit-taking activities in the country. Companies/ institutions running such schemes exploit existing regulatory gaps and lack of strict administrative measures to dupe poor and gullible people of their hard-earned savings.

2. The Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2018

The Union Cabinet gave its approval to introduce the Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2018 in Parliament. In order to facilitate the orderly growth of the Chit Funds sector and remove bottlenecks being faced by the Chit Funds industry, thereby enabling greater financial access of people to other financial products, the following amendments to the Chit Funds Act, 1982 have been proposed:

Use of the words “Fraternity Fund” for chit business under Sections 2(b) and 11(1) of the Chit Funds Act, 1982, to signify its inherent nature, and distinguish its working from “Prize Chits” which are banned under a separate legislation;

ii. Increasing the ceiling of foreman’s commission from a maximum of 5% to 7%, as the rate has remained static since the commencement of the Act while overheads and other costs have increased manifold;

iii. Allowing the foreman a right to lien for the dues from subscribers, so that set-off is allowed by the Chit company for subscribers who have already drawn funds, so as to discourage default by them; and

iv. Amending Section 85 (b) of the Chit Funds Act, 1982 to remove the ceiling of one hundred rupees set in 1982 at the time of framing the Chit Funds Act, which has lost its relevance.

Agni-II, which has a length of 20 meters, weighs 17 tonnes and can carry a payload of 1000 kgs over a distance of 2000 km. It is a part of the Agni series of missiles developed by the DRDO.

Gk bit– Agni Missile System

The Agni missileis a family of medium to intercontinental range ballistic missiles developed by India, named after one of the five elements of nature. Agni missiles are long range, nuclear weapons capable surface to surface ballistic missile. The first missile of the series, Agni-I was developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program and tested in 1989. After its success, Agni missile program was separated from the IGMDP upon realizing its strategic importance. It was designated as a special program in India’s defence budget and provided adequate funds for subsequent development. As of 2008, the Agni missile family comprises three deployed variants while two more variants are under testing.